Semipro football squad co-owners hope to improve Harrisburg's offensive output for season 2

CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-NewsHarrisburg's Marcus Sargeant drives Reading's Carmelo Ocasio out of bounds after the catch at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg last summer.

By bringing in talent like Kevin Kelly, Mike Kitchen and Kelvin Robinson, the Harrisburg Stampede want to assure their fans that they are serious about turning things around in 2010.

That opportunity begins in earnest for Harrisburg when it kicks off the American Indoor Football Association season at 7:30 p.m. March 6 against the Baltimore Mariners at the Farm Show Arena.

In their inaugural season last year, the Stampede struggled offensively, and had a revolving door with coaches and players alike en route to a 4-10 record in the Eastern Division. Continuity with the coaching staff is in place with the return of head coach Ramon Robinson. His staff consists of Lance Whiteside, Chris Lamon, Myron Selby, Paul Pennington and Chris Odoom.

Fixing an offense that averaged 31 points, 142.9 passing yards and 169.1 total yards was the top priority for co-owners John Morris and Fred Clark.

"We have some weapons to support our defense this season," Morris said. "We will score a lot of points and I predict that the team will very strong."

Kelly kicked four years at Penn State University, while Kitchen starred at Lebanon High School before going off to Georgia Tech. They are just a couple of many new players brought in to inject life into the offense.

Besides Robinson, who has plenty of experience at quarterback in indoor football, the team has plenty of capable wide receivers in Kevin Marion (was once in the Steelers camp), Keith Stokes, Brahin Bilal (Bloomsburg University) and Archie Smith. Smith, who started at defensive back last year, is one of the ironmen on the team who will play both sides of the ball.

"I feel that we have a solid corps of receivers with speed and game-breaking ability," Ramon Robinson said.

"Kitchen is a local athlete who is looking forward to playing in Harrisburg. Every move to upgrade the team has an A-plus grade as far as I'm concerned. Overall, team has better talent and character. It's important to carry yourself a certain way because you are representing the organization and community."

For Clark, who acknowledged that he would like to improve the playing venue, it was a no-brainer to join the organization after what he witnessed last season.

"It was a great opportunity to invest in the product because I saw the excitement from the crowds at the games," he said. "I want people to embrace us like they do the Bears and Senators."

Season and individual game tickets are now on sale. For more information call (717) 889-0344 or online.

The Stampede are in the East Division along with Reading (defending AIFA champions), Baltimore, Erie, Fayetteville and expansion teams New Jersey and Richmond.

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